vinyl
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a strong, flexible plastic used to make things like floors, car seats, and waterproof clothes.
n.a tough, flexible synthetic plastic, typically polyvinyl chloride, used for floor coverings and upholstery.
Simple“The kitchen floor is covered in easy-to-clean grey vinyl.”
In context“The designer specified high-grade vinyl for the restaurant booths to ensure the surfaces could withstand heavy daily use and frequent cleaning.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.records that play music, or the format of music on these records.
n.phonograph records as a collective medium or a specific disc made of this material.
Simple“He prefers listening to vinyl because he thinks the sound is warmer.”
In context“Despite the convenience of streaming services, many collectors still invest heavily in vinyl for its tactile quality and superior cover art.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a specific group of atoms used to create various chemical compounds.
n.the univalent radical CH2=CH− derived from ethylene, serving as a precursor to various polymers.
Simple“The chemist explained how the vinyl group reacts to form long chains.”
In context“The polymerisation of vinyl chloride monomers results in the formation of the widely used plastic known as PVC.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.describes something made from this type of plastic.
adj.composed of or pertaining to vinyl or polyvinyl chloride.
Simple“She wore a black vinyl jacket that kept her dry in the rain.”
In context“The vintage car featured original vinyl upholstery that had been remarkably well-preserved by the previous owner.”
“The Riverside Symphony Concert is now available on CD and vinyl from Ramseur Records.”
From Latin vīnum (“wine”) + -yl. Derived from Latin vīnum because ethyl alcohol is the ordinary alcohol present in wine.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.